Indicating system



N ov. 17, 1931.

R. A.' HElslNG ET A1. 1;8 32,116

INDICATING SYSTEM Filed March 28, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ffm "Nov. 17,1931.- R, A, HElslNG E1- AL 1,832,116

INDICATING SYSTEM Filed March 28,' 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 17, 1931.R, A, HElsiNG ET AL LSZIS INDICATING SYSTEM .Filed March 28, 1923 5Sheets-Sheet 3 f7 y if s 4j mul.. mi 45 -llllll Patented Nov. 17, 1931lUNITED 'STATES PATENT ol-Flca BAYMOND'A. nmsmc, or MILLBUEN, AND JAMESr. KENDALL, 0E cnANEonn,

NEW JERSEY INDICATING SYSTEM Application led Iarch 28, 1923. Serial No.628,326.

lary object is to provide for the cancellation of the indication by theoperator at any time prior to the expiration of the predetermined time.

The invention is exemplified in one embodiment thereof by an arrangementadapted to give simultaneous front and rear indications on automobile-sof the directionabout to be taken b the driver. A movable elementarranged ad] acent the driver, on the steering post, for example, may bemoved to the right or the left to indicate the drivers intention to turnin one of those directions respectively. .A signal holding mechanismcomes into play and holds the indication for a predetermined time, forexample, 20 seconds, after which the movable element is restored tonormal and the signal c nceled without further attention on the Ypart fthe operator who thus has his hands and feet free to attend to hisdriving controls except for the small instant .of time necessary tooperate the movable indicator control element.

Several forms of the invention are hereinafter described in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. l1 is a sec? tional view ofthe device in unoperated position taken at right angles to the steeringpost, the signal lamp circuits being diagrammatically shown; Fig. 2 is aview oi the rear .40 signal board or plate; Fig. 3 is a correspondingsectional view of the same parts in operated position to give anindication, the circuits being omitted \F ig. 4 is a similar View ci'the position of the parts just-before the indication is to be canceledand the parts restoredA to normal; Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view toindicate the position of the oil in the oil chamber of the dash-potmechanism; Fig. 6 is a l lan view of the operative parts of a of afurther modification; and Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, represent several ofthe many possible circuit arrangements which may be employed in a systemof the present kind.

ln Fig. 1, the lamp L is intended to give, when lighted, a left turnindication, lamp R, a right turn indication and Lamp S, a stopindication. They are placed in the usual manner to the rear of thecorrespondingly marked openings in the rear indicator plate shown inFig. 2. Lamp P is a pilot light and its purpose is to show the operatorwhether his indicator lights are working properly. -Lamp P is located infull View of the operator as shown in Fig. 5.

' The direction indicator lamps are controlled by mechanism now about tobe described which is mounted in any convenient position before theoperator, as, for example, on the steering post 1. A bracket 2 attachesa casing 3 to the steering post. An operating element 4 bearing a handle5 extends through the opening 7. The circuits of lamps R and' L arenormally open at contacts 8 and 9 which are carried by spring members 13and 14 connected to conductors 10 and 11. The flat rear surfaceo element4 bears a ainst a hol-` low cylindrical member which is ept in contactwith the member 4 by the spring 11. The parts are so proportioned thatin the position shown in Fig. 1 the spring 11 is not compressed or onlyslightly compressed.

To give a signal of his intention to turn to the right, the operatormerely moves the handle 5 to the right. The cylinder 10 moves inwardlyunder the influence of the camming action of the element 4 until itstrikes the base element 12. This limits the movement of the handle. Todo this requires only a small fraction of a second. The spring 22catches and holds the cylinder 10 by engaging the flange 21. The element4 is borne upon by the spring 14 `with suihcient force to hold it inposition friction'ally. As soon as spring 13 rides oi the cam-shapedleft hand corner of element 4, the contact 8 is closed and the lamp Rlighted. `The pilot lamp P is also lighted.

The position of the parts is then as shown 50 modi ed formgFig?isadiagrammatic view in Fig. 3 becapse the release member 15 is 1W heldfrom inward movement by the oil or other; fluid in the oil chamber 16.An adjustable port 17 allows the oil to escape into the reservoir 18.The effective size of opening of the port 17 may be established once forall in the manufacture of the device, but

it may be made with an internal or external adjusting means. As shown,the adjusting screw 19 is threaded through the casing 12 and may beturned to regulate the port. It is contemplated that the oil will passinto the chamber v18 until the release element 15, having moved underthe influence of the spring 11, has struck the internal annular flange21. At this time, the position of the parts is as shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 4, the release element 15 has moved inwardly until the spring 22is forced into its groove to release the cylinder 10. As soon as thishappens, the spring 20 tends to restore the release element 15 to normalposition which it does as rapidly as the oil can flow back into thechamber 16 from the reservoir 18. The spring 11 returns the element 10and the cam member 4 to normal position.

As soon as theoperating cam 4 strikes. the

time. If the operator desires to cancel theindication before theexpiration of the time for which the device is set he may do so bybringing. the handle 5 to its normal central osition. If he desires togive the opposite indication, this may be done at anytime by moving thehandle 5 over to the opposite p'osition. lVhen either lamp L or R islighted, the lamp P will also be lighted and hence the operator hasbefore him a positive indication that his direction indicators areoperating properly since it will be almost impossible for the lamp P tolight without lighting a lamp L or R. If either L or R is burned out,lamp P will not light. If lamp L or R should be short-circuited thevoltage across lamp P will be suliicient to make it abnormally brightand perhaps burn it out almost immediately. l

The stop indicator light S is controlled by a contact 23 which is closedby depressing the foot brake 24. In the circuit arrangement of Fig. 1,the lamp S will require twice the voltage of lamps L and R.

It is contemplated that the oil level in the reservoir be at all timesabove the port 17 as shown in Fig. 5, where the oil level is assumedl tobe shown at its lowest point as in the position of Fig. 1. When oil isforced into reservoir 18, the air will be compressed.

-Ordinarily this compression will be allowable as the chamber 18 may bemade several times as large as the cubic contents of the maximum amountof oil forced into it. If desired. however, the pressure may beequalized by making a small opening through the casing from the highestpart of the reservoir 18 to the open air. Furthermore, it is notnecessary to use oil as the chamber 16 may be made air-tight and theport 17 adjusted so that air escaping through it will regulate thetiming of the indications. However, the use of oil is preferred. Packing25 serves to maintain the necessary tightness of the chamber 1G.

The invention may be embodied in a. great number of physicalarrangements and many changes in form, size, detail and arrangements ofpa rts maybe made to fit diverse conditions or simplify the productionor assembling of the apparatus.

One such modified form is shown in Fig. (i. '.l`he casing is omittedfrom Fig. (3, only the operative parts being shown. Operating member 5when turned in either direction depresses the lever 2G mounted on a.pivot 27.

'lhis causes the pawl 28 to ride over they f ratchet 29 which may beheld from backward motion by a pawl 31'if desired. Ratchet 29 is rigidlyattached to gear wheel 30 which is connected through a chain ofreduction gears 32 to a governor 33.- The governor 33 is of a well-knownrotary frictionalv type having friction shoes 34 bearing on a fixedannular member 35. The governor may also be any type of watch or clockescapement.

Vhen lever 26 is depressed to the full extent, the pawl 28 has riddenover several notches. Spring 36 tends to restore lever 26 but thisaction is delayed by the governor 33, thereby giving the desiring timingof the indication. The action of springs 13, 14 and their associatedcontacts 8, 9 is as in the arrangementof Fig. 1.

In Fig. 7 electrical time control means are employed. When lever 37 isdepressed by the operating member 4, the contact 38 is-closed. Thiscloses a circuit from battery 39 through magnet 40 which attracts thearmature 41 mounted on lever 37 and holds lever 37 in its operatedposition. At this time, of course, one or the other of lamps L or R willbe lighted.V Contact 38 also closes a circuit through stepping magnetwhich at once begins t operate. Stepping magnet 42 breaks its owncircuit at contact 43 each time it steps the ratchet 44 around one notchby the pawl 45. Simultaneously with the energization of magnets 40 and42, the magnetl 46 is also energized. This 'attracts armature 47 andlifts lever 48 and slider 49 so that the pawi 45 is free to engage theratchet 44 to turnv lill) .llO

where.

Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate various lighting clrit.and pawl 50 engages 'theratchet to hold it. Ratchet 4`4 ycontinues to step arounduntil the stoppin'51 has made almost a complete rotation and engages the underI sideof the pivotedlbar 52 which holds the spring con tactv 53 closed. vWhenthus'engaged, the stop pin 51'raise`s barl 52 and allows contact 53 toopen. At this time, magnets 40, 42 and 46 are simultaneouslydeenergized, bar 37 is restored by spring 54, pawls 45 and 50 aredisengaged by slider 49 and the `ratchet 44 is rotated to its originalposition by the spring 55. y The stepping magnet 42 is (as are the otherparts) illustrated only. diagrammatically and may have a speed andinertiaadjustingmeans comprising a slider 56 on the lever 57.Steppingmagnets are in common use in certain arts,l for instance,automatic telephone switching systems and such types as are thereemployed may be used in the present Linstance. 'single magnet mayoperate the levers 37 and 48,- thus replacing both magnets 40 and 46but'it is preferred to use separate magnets so that the elementsenclosed in dotted lines may .be ,mounted in one place, in a casing, onthe steeringpost, for example', and

the other elements are then concealed 'in another casing under the hood,seat, or elsecuit diagrams. Both front and rear indicator lilghts arepreferred, the former to signal a -traflic oflicer. in front of thevehicle, the latter to give an indication in the rear. The front llightsare marked RF and LF for right front and left front respectively, therear lights are 'marked RR and LR Afor right rea'r and left rearrespectively. P indicates the pilot light,

In Fig. 8, the elements 58 are insulated from ground.l The member 4`may, in this instance, consist of conductive material, such as brass,without any danger of givinga false indication. A ground connection maybeprovided to keep the handle 5 and member 4 at ground potential at alltimes, it' desired. When the handle is moved 'to the right, the lamps RFanlRR will be lighted but when the handle is moved to the left, the lefthand 1 lamps LF and LR are lighted. In order to simplify ,the circuitdiagrams oi' Figs. 8 to 11, the left hand lights are shown on the rightand vice versa. l

In Fig. 9, the pilot lamp P is in series with the rear lamps. The frontlamps are connected' to the battery by a separate circuit, The rear andpilot lamps may then be adapted to run `on less voltage than the frontlamps.

In Fig. 10, each rear lamp is provided with a different pilot lamp. YThese pilot. lamps may be of different colors or otherwise distinctivelycharacterized by positioning or some other means .to eiectively remindthe operator which direction indication he has .late

bers 13, 14 and 58 are both indicated as insulated from the frame byinsulating material 59. However, it is not necessary to insulate members13I and 14. Iitmember 4 is of inslllating -material then the elements13, 14 may be insulatedl and the elements 58 grounded as in Fig. 1.Numerous circuit arrangements' and mechanical embodiments of thestructural featuresof the invention are possible. Each circuit'of Figs.8 to 11 may be combined with a stop light as in.Fig. 1. It 1s notnecessary to use front lights. The invention may be used on any vehicleand indeed its' utility is not limited to such use as it might beusedfor other purposes.

Important advantages are (1)` Operation by a single movement in the4'part of the operator;

(2) Automatic restoration to normal without the operajtors attention.

(3) A positive indication that his signals are working.

(4) Immediate cancellation of thesignal by the operator at anytime withor without display of the opposite signal.

.(5) Minimum distraction of the operators iattention and minimumconsumptionr of lhis lme.

to the operator Having described certain4 embodiments ofi the inventionin detail, attention is now directed to the appended claims wherein areset ,forth the features believed to be novel which we desire to secureby Letters Patent.

What is claimed is:

1. A signal light controlling device comprising a pivoted lingerelement, a sliding me ber operated by movement thereof, a for holding'said sliding member in operated positioma second Isliding membernormally positioned by a spring and set in motion by operation of saidfirst named slidlng member, a second spring designed to contlnue themotion of said second sliding'member to release said latch, said secondspring being positioned against said first namedsliding member to returnit to normal upon release oli said latch'.

2. In a signal light controlling device, three metallic memberslongitudinally movable with respect to one another, two springs arrangedbetween diflerent pairs of said members, a latch on one of said membersarranged to engage another thereof, and means on a third member torelease said latch.

3.' In a circuit closing device, the combination of" a plurality olfsets of contacts and' Lio means controlled by ow of a fluid for determining the duration of closure of said sets ofv contacts, an actuatingmember, mechanism for selecting in accordance with the move-L 5 ment ofsaid member and closing a selected one of said sets of contacts, saidmember being capable of actuation at any time independently of saidmeans for the purpose of opening the closed contacts.

4. In a signal light controllinof mechanism,

a dash pot mechanism, a slidabIe member, a cam controlling two pairs ofcontacts in accordance with its direction of motion, said slidablemember being cooperatively arranged to be moved by anyl motion'of saidcam, and means controlled by said dash pot mechanism to efect arestoring motion of said slidable member.

5. In a signal controlling device, a plurality of sets of contacts,mechanism tov select and close one of said sets ofcontacts, a singleelement selective Iin accordance with its direction of motion to controlsaid mechanism to select4 and close one of said sets of contacts, and

liquid controlled mechanism determining the duration of closure of theselected set of con-` tacts.

6. In a circuit closing device, an operating member, a driven member, alatch member, a

release member, and a Huid filled chamber,

connections whereby operation of said operating member displaces saiddriven member to a position where i-t becomes latched by said latchmember and applies pressure to said fluid so that uponl its expulsionfrom said` chamber it causes said latch member to release said drivenmember, in combination with contacts closed by operation Aof saidoperating member and opened by release and 30 restoration of said drivenmember.

7. In a circuit closing device, two sets of spring contact members, acam member having surfaces directly contacting with one of each of saidsets of members and functioning to change their normal condition whenactuated, delayed action mechanism con- .nected to said cam wherebydisplacement of said cam to change the'normal condition of v saidmembers sets said delayed action mechanism into operation to restoresaid members to their normal position.

8.. In a circuit closing device three relatively slidable members, alatch to fasten one of said members, when it is displaced, in itsdisplaced position relatively fixed with respectto another of saidmembers", and time delayed mechanism controllin the slidingv movement ofthe third of sai members to release said latch.

In' witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 27 day'ofMarch A. D., 1923.

' l RAYMOND A. HEISING.

JAMES P. KENDALL.

